Self-assembly around curved surfaces

Abstract:

We present a parametric study of self-assembled photonic crystal growth as a function of radius of curvature. To do this, we used a combination of microscope slides, glass capillaries and optical fibres as substrates to grow the self-assembled films on. Microscope and SEM images, as well as broadband transmission spectra were used to characterise the crystal, and the effect the changing surface curvature had on the crystal quality. Limitations for fabricating the crystals on highly curved surfaces willbe presented.